Outside Inspiration: Cutting in Clay
Okay so I usually do the Outside Inspiration posts on Fridays but we’ve been thrown off this week with the launch of The Polymer Arts latest issue. We know polymer can be manipulated very much like other clays. So …. who wants to try this?
This is porcelain created by the very talented Jennifer McCurdy. It is altered and carved, pushing the limits of porcelain’s ability to hold up structurally. But wow, is it gorgeous. She also gilds it on the inside … not the outside … inviting the viewer to consider the interior and allowing it to contrast with the white exterior. Very intriguing look.
I’m thinking that in polymer, it might work best if baked first. Or carved and smoothed while on a form. In any case, it’d be some serious work but with some serious rewards.
If this inspires anyone to try this kind of thing, send me images.
You can see a video on her technique on the Ceramic Arts Daily website. Also check out the wonderful photos of her work embedded into natural settings like the beach on her home page (it’s a slide show so wait for the change over in images) and rivers on her collection page. She has some really beautiful photos that are works of art themselves. So do take a moment to check them out.
I think this could be fantastic in polymer. For myself, I think I’d start on a form, maybe even upside down as a start. The trick would be having the form be strong enough, yet still easily removable after baking.
Hmmmm… excuse me, my drawing table is calling…
Bowls (vase) of Jennifer – something special! Many thanks for video – process of creation is very informative. I even tried to make beads on Jennifer’s lesson.
Amazing work looks simple beauty.